Minnesota Fishing Report as of Friday, October 30

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Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.

 Fewer anglers are venturing out due to cooler temperatures, as well as the recent wet and windy weather, therefore few reports are available this week. Anglers that have ventured out report steady fishing action, with quite a few walleyes being taken.

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

Nearly everyone venturing out on to Rainy Lake and the Rainy River is being rewarded with great walleye action. You don?t have to travel far from any of the launches to find good fishing. On Rainy Lake, hit Black Bay, around the islands east of Jackfish Bay, and near Birch Point. On the Rainy River, fish below the Ranier Rapids just above the dam, and just west of the rocks below the Ron Hall Access on Shorewood Drive. Minnows have been best. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

For information on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Cook & Tower/Lake Vermilion

On Lake Vermilion, walleye fishing has been excellent in 30-40 feet of water, with jig and minnow combinations turning the most fish. A few nice crappies and even an occasional walleyes are coming from the deep hole in Niles. Musky hunters are having limited success, and recently taking only a handful of fish which may be due to the quick cool down in water temperatures. This could change overnight as the whitefish continue to move shallow to spawn. To find out more, check out www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

Crappies are starting to show up in greater numbers, especially on Twin, White Iron and Fall lakes. These fish can be found suspended six to ten feet from the bottom in 20-35 feet of water. For the most fish, use a minnow under a slip bobber, or a jig and minnow combination. Walleyes are becoming more active in the deeper holes on Shagawa and White Iron lakes, with floating jig heads and floating lindy rigs working best. Please remember that the weather can change rapidly so always wear a life jacket when venturing out, especially on these colder waters. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

To locate charter boats and guide services, and to find out where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

There was a good shiner run in the Rainy River on the night of October 23. The early morning and late afternoon bite has picked up, and large walleyes should soon move into the Rainy River ? the water temperatures are holding at roughly 40-43 degrees. Most of the walleyes, however, remain in Lake of the Woods, and there has been a fantastic bite just out from the Lighthouse Gap. Depths of 17-30 feet are giving up lots of walleyes and saugers, and even an occasional jumbo perch and northern pike. For the most fish, anchor and use a live or frozen shiner on a 3/8-ounce or smaller jig. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake/Deer River/Lake Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux

To learn of the best locations and methods for fishing area lakes, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Bemidji

No reports will be available until anglers begin ice fishing. For area lodging, attractions, and other travel more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Park Rapids

To learn where and when the fish are biting, dial 1-800-247-0054, or visit www.ParkRapids.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

The water temperatures are now in the low 40?s, and are dropping each night. Walleyes are being pulled from depths of 35-40 feet of water, with jig and minnow combinations working best. Crappie action has slowed somewhat with the cooler water temperatures. For a few fish, hit any of the remaining green weeds or head to their typical fall and winter haunts. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Cold, windy and rainy weather have put a stop to many of the fishing trips planned in the Pine River area this past week. Those who did venture out reported good walleye action, especially on days when a low pressure system was approaching. Walleyes are being pulled from just about every depth, except after dark when very shallow waters are best. During the daylight hours, anglers are finding fish at the base of the breaklines in up to 60 feet of water on some of the larger lakes. A chartreuse or yellow jig tipped with a minnow has been best during the day. Muskie anglers report that the larger fish are on the move on Leech, Winnibighosh and Cass lakes, as well as on lakes on the Boy River chain. Northern pike are eagerly hitting jig and minnow combinations and large crankbaits trolled or cast along the deep edge of the green weedbeds. For panfish, use a slow retrieve. Some of the shallow public accesses have had a light coating of ice on colder mornings, but it is usually gone by mid-afternoon. This week?s tip is to cast a shallow-running, minnow-style artificial across a channel after dark since this most likely where you?ll find walleyes. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

To find out what species of fish are being taken and what methods are working best, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Just a few walleye anglers continue to venture out onto Lake Mille Lacs. With some warmer daytime temperatures the perch fishing should heat up. Now is also the time to try your hand at some fall reef walleye fishing. The reef markers have been removed so use caution when traveling through the shallows. Northern pike and muskie action has been slower than average. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

To learn where and when the fish are biting, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

Fishing is great between Big and Little Green lakes where anglers are pulling walleyes from 4-12 feet of water. Slip bobbers and minnows are working best. Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from Chisago Lake, as well as in front of the swimming beach on South Lindstrom Lake ? depths of 8-12 feet are giving up the majority of fish. Sunrise Lake is giving up lots of bass and northern pike. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Lake

To learn about which species are biting and where they can be located, dial 651/653-5122, or visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org

Waconia

For information on where to locate fish on Lake Waconia, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota

Ortonville

For information on which species are being pulled from Big Stone Lake, check out www.bigstonelake.com, or dial 1-800-568-5722

Albert Lea

Anglers are having success with the walleyes and crappies using jigs during early evening hours near the Blackmer Channel on Fountain Lake. A few walleyes are also being taken on jig and minnow combinations at the channel. Walleyes are active near the channel on Albert Lea Lake as well, and hitting jigs tipped with minnows. To learn more, visit www.albertleatourism.org, or dial 507/373-2316

Lake City

The walleyes and sauger bite is in full swing in the upper Mississippi River portions of Pool #4, all the way from the top of Lake Pepin to the dam above Red Wing. Anglers having the most success with large numbers of fish are using blade baits, three-ways, and jigs. The smallmouth bass are really on a feeding frenzie ? for some great bass action, hit any one of the rip rap shorelines on Lake Pepin. Don?t park your boat yet and miss out on the great fall action that this area has to offer! To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Cannon Falls

For information on which species of fish are biting and how to find them, dial 507/263-2289, or visit www.cannonfalls.org

Ortonville

Rain and windy weather have kept most anglers off Big Stone Lake. For those that have ventured out, there is the typical fall bite at the foot of the lake near Ortonville, with reports of anglers getting a lot of small walleyes. There have also been a few reports of large walleyes in the 6- to 8-pound range. Most techniques, from slip bobbers to pitching jigs to crappie rigs, are producing fish ? still, timing and patience have been key. Hopefully temperatures will become more moderate and anglers will be able to set the hook on the open water before hard water sets in. For more information, check out www.bigstonelake.com, or dial 1-800-568-5722

?The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.?